Zuestoll

Zuestoll is a peak within the Churfirsten group of the Alpstein, in the Kanton of Saint Gallen, northeastern Switzerland. It sits in the middle of the group, with Selun, Frümsel, and Brisi to the west and Schibenstoll, Hinterrugg, and Chäserrugg to the east of it (see annotated photo). The peak appears a bit more steep and craggy than the other Churfirsten, and indeed is the most difficult summit in the group, as the standard trail to the top is about class 4 (with fixed cables, of course), on the north side. The south side of the mountain features a very vertical wall of limestone about 300 meters tall, which in turn sits atop an additional 1000 meter tall steep slope of near vertical grass and forest. Beneath this slope sits the Walensee, a very scenic lake. There are quite a number of technical rock climbs of varying difficulty on this south face. 

This mountain can provide nice outings to fit anybody's agenda. The trail up is a "Bergweg" (white and blue marked, not white and red like regular hiking trails) that is not death defying at all, and secure with solid cables to aid in any difficulties. Any seasoned hiker can make an ascent of Zuestoll. For those looking for more of a challenge to the summit, multi-pitch rock routes on the south face rate from 5.10 to 5.13 projects. Zuestoll is climbable in the winter, with appropriate gear and proper avy danger assessment. Like the surrounding mountains, Zuestoll might not boast a super impressive elevation, it still packs a punch in terms of vertical relief and slope steepness. Views from the top are very expansive; to the south, the summit plunges away via precipitous drops to the Walensee, nearly 1800 meters below and the glaciated peaks of the Alps stretch on seemingly forever. To the north, the Alpstein commands the view, with the flatter forests of Germany stretching into the far distance. The Austrian Alps are visible to the east.